Clare recycling centre closing

After 2 1/2 years of operation, the Municipality of Clare will close its recycling centre later this summer.

The centre, located in Meteghan, employs six full-time and several part-time employees.

Eric Blinn, the facility’s manager, said the affected employees who will work until Aug. 15, have not been offered other jobs. However, some of the part-timers have already found other work.

“It’s a sad day, I mean when we all lose our jobs,” Blinn, who has worked at the centre since it opened, said in an interview Tuesday.

Blinn first got word a month ago of the pending closure. His employees found out last week.

Beginning in August, recyclable waste and blue bag material from the municipalities of Clare and Digby and the Town of Digby will once again be delivered to Yarmouth for sorting and processing.

“The decision to close the Clare Recyling Centre is a necessary one based on finances,” Warden Ronnie LeBlanc said in a news release Tuesday.

“Poor markets leading to increased losses have dictated the fate of our municipally owned operation. Council has made a commitment to reduce expenses and make cuts where possible in order to strengthen the municipality’s financial situation and this closure is part of that plan.”